Vancouver Neighbourhood: West Broadway

Neighbourhood Overview

The West Broadway BIA spans 10 city blocks along West Broadway between Collingwood Street and Larch Street. Sometimes referred to as Kits on Broadway, the BIA is a treasure trove of eateries, services and retail outlets.

The area is known for its neighbourly, community feel and many of the BIA businesses and commercial buildings are independent, owner-operated, with more than 75 operating for more than 20 years.

A majority of households in the residential catchment area have significantly higher incomes than average for the city, while area residents are highly educated.

25-29

Years

Dominant Age Group of Residents

19391

Residents

Population in 2016

86.4%

English

Dominant Language

$41.5

Per sq. ft.

Average Lease Rate

People

Population by Age

West Broadway market catchment area is home to 19,391 people. The dominant age range is 25-29 years and the average age is 39.7, slightly younger than Vancouver (41.6) and Metro Vancouver (41).

Language & Ethnic Origins

86% of residents reported Western European origins, significantly higher than Vancouver (51%) and Metro Vancouver (54%). English is the dominant language spoken in the home (86%), while Greek and French round out the top 5 dominant languages, reflecting the immigration and settlement that occurred in this area during and after the Second World War.

Family Structure

Of the 9,325 households here, 54% are families. The closely matches the Vancouver figure (57%) but is significantly lower than Metro Vancouver (71%). The average number of persons per household is 2.2, the same as Vancouver.

Education & Occupation

A well-educated neighbourhood, 58% of residents have some level of university education. This is significantly higher than Vancouver (43%) and Metro Vancouver (34%). The dominant occupations are in education, law, social, community & government services (19%) and sales & services (19%).

Income & Spending

The West Broadway area is a wealthy neighbourhood, with 39% of households earning more than $100,000 per year. The average annual expenditure for the area is $96,744, significantly higher than the averages for Vancouver ($84,710) and Metro Vancouver ($87,106).

Place

Zoning

The West Broadway BIA has three commercial zoning types: C-2C (68%), C-2C1 (29%) and CD-1 (3%). 100% of the business floor space is licensed for commercial use. The BIA has three designated office-only spaces (35,500 sq. ft.).

Housing

Reflecting Kitsilano’s post-World War II growth, 40% of housing was constructed before 1960. This is significantly higher than Vancouver (23%) and Metro Vancouver (13%). 79% of dwellings in the West Broadway area are apartments and 53% of residents are renters.

Community

Each June, the BIA hosts its annual Greek Day Street Festival, an event that attracts thousands to West Broadway. There are five parks steps away from the BIA: Connaught Park, Arbutus Greenway Park, McBride Park, Rosemary Brown Park and Almond Park.

Doing Business Here

Business Mix

329 businesses operate in the West Broadway BIA. The dominant business types are retail (34%), accommodation & food service (23%) and health care & social assistance (17%). All are significantly higher than levels seen in Vancouver and Metro Vancouver.

Commercial Business Size

Most businesses in the BIA (55%) have fewer than five employees and 39% have 5-20 employees. The largest employers are McDonalds, Nuba Café, Safeway, Shoppers Drug Mark and Strike (Taiwanese restaurant).

Opportunities

Business opportunities, based on market demand, could include clothing and recreation stores, restaurants including casual and fine dining. Lease rates are around $41.50 per sq. ft. for ground floor commercial. The general forecast is for low vacancy.

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Vancouver Neighbourhood:

West Broadway

The West Broadway BIA spans 10 city blocks along West Broadway between Collingwood Street and Larch Street. Sometimes referred to as Kits on Broadway, the BIA is a treasure trove of eateries, services and retail outlets.

The area is known for its neighbourly, community feel and many of the BIA businesses and commercial buildings are independent, owner-operated, with more than 75 operating for more than 20 years.

A majority of households in the residential catchment area have significantly higher incomes than average for the city, while area residents are highly educated.

Read All

25-29

Years

Dominant Age Group of Residents

19391

Residents

Population in 2016

86.4%

English

Dominant Language

$41.5

Per sq. ft.

Average Lease Rate

People

Place

Doing Business Here

Population by Age

West Broadway market catchment area is home to 19,391 people. The dominant age range is 25-29 years and the average age is 39.7, slightly younger than Vancouver (41.6) and Metro Vancouver (41).

Language & Ethnic Origins

86% of residents reported Western European origins, significantly higher than Vancouver (51%) and Metro Vancouver (54%). English is the dominant language spoken in the home (86%), while Greek and French round out the top 5 dominant languages, reflecting the immigration and settlement that occurred in this area during and after the Second World War.

Family Structure

Of the 9,325 households here, 54% are families. The closely matches the Vancouver figure (57%) but is significantly lower than Metro Vancouver (71%). The average number of persons per household is 2.2, the same as Vancouver.

Education & Occupation

A well-educated neighbourhood, 58% of residents have some level of university education. This is significantly higher than Vancouver (43%) and Metro Vancouver (34%). The dominant occupations are in education, law, social, community & government services (19%) and sales & services (19%).

Income & Spending

The West Broadway area is a wealthy neighbourhood, with 39% of households earning more than $100,000 per year. The average annual expenditure for the area is $96,744, significantly higher than the averages for Vancouver ($84,710) and Metro Vancouver ($87,106).

Zoning

The West Broadway BIA has three commercial zoning types: C-2C (68%), C-2C1 (29%) and CD-1 (3%). 100% of the business floor space is licensed for commercial use. The BIA has three designated office-only spaces (35,500 sq. ft.).

Housing

Reflecting Kitsilano’s post-World War II growth, 40% of housing was constructed before 1960. This is significantly higher than Vancouver (23%) and Metro Vancouver (13%). 79% of dwellings in the West Broadway area are apartments and 53% of residents are renters.

Community

Each June, the BIA hosts its annual Greek Day Street Festival, an event that attracts thousands to West Broadway. There are five parks steps away from the BIA: Connaught Park, Arbutus Greenway Park, McBride Park, Rosemary Brown Park and Almond Park.

Business Mix

329 businesses operate in the West Broadway BIA. The dominant business types are retail (34%), accommodation & food service (23%) and health care & social assistance (17%). All are significantly higher than levels seen in Vancouver and Metro Vancouver.

Commercial Business Size

Most businesses in the BIA (55%) have fewer than five employees and 39% have 5-20 employees. The largest employers are McDonalds, Nuba Café, Safeway, Shoppers Drug Mark and Strike (Taiwanese restaurant).

Opportunities

Business opportunities, based on market demand, could include clothing and recreation stores, restaurants including casual and fine dining. Lease rates are around $41.50 per sq. ft. for ground floor commercial. The general forecast is for low vacancy.